Friday, June 25, 2010

Feed the Children — With Wine

Fri, Jun 25, 2010 at 12:43 PM

This summer, some East Bay restaurants are cutting their wine prices in half — and a fab gala in Napa featuring some of Northern California's top vintners and chefs will be part of Taste of the Nation®, the country’s leading culinary benefit.

The gala is the Grand Tasting and Auction, a benefit set for Thursday, August 5 at Napa's Silverado Resort. More than thirty chefs, mixologists, and wineries will participate as diners savor food from La Toque, Fish Story, Etoile, The Restaurant at Meadowood, Zuzu, and Cole’s Chop House paired with wines provided by Silver Oak, Cakebread Cellars, Domaine Chandon, and Robert Mondavi. It's one of dozens of high-profile culinary events taking place nationwide as part of Taste of the Nation, which is organized by Share Our Strength, a nonprofit devoted to feeding the nearly 17 million American children for whom hunger is a serious reality. (Other Share Our Strength projects include the Great American Bake Sale, A Tasteful Pursuit, and the Great American Dine Out.)

"We’re honored to be part of this nationwide movement to end childhood hunger in America,” said Silverado Resort Chef Peter Pahk, Taste of the Nation Napa Valley Culinary Chairperson. “Taste of the Nation brings together the finest of the Napa and Sonoma wine and culinary world, and helps the children in our community who suffer from hunger every day."

Some of the charities benefiting from this year’s event include Napa County's Childstart and the Napa Valley Food Bank.

And throughout the month of July, the Lark Creek Restaurant Group is running its eighth annual half-off wine promotion. Every bottle on every wine list — representing over 1,000 different labels — are being offered at half price during brunch, lunch, and dinner at all LCRG restaurants: In the East Bay, that means Yankee Pier in Lafayette and Lark Creek in Walnut Creek.